Razor Suggestions

[Senoska]

The holy trinity of shaving is razor, lubricant, and technique. Break one of these and you're going to look like you shaved with a cheese grater.

1. Don't use dull razors. The more you force a blade across your face the more irritation you get. Period. Just because you paid 20 bucks for some M3 cartridges doesn't mean you have to squeeze 6+ shaves out of one razor.

2. Don't use crappy lubicant. You don't need to spend 35 bucks on a tub of high end Castle Forbes Lime Shaving Cream, but don't count on that canned foam you picked up at the dollar store to keep the razor moving smoothly on your face. Also don't shave bare skin for obvious reasons.

3. Learn how to shave. For most people a pass going WTG and then XTG will make your face pretty damn smooth. Going ATG is for wookies only. And contrary as to what you see in commercials, you can't do half your face in one stroke. Start with one side of your face and work steadily towards the other side, doing small sections at a time. This way you won't miss anything. Use short, light, downward strokes (with the grain and so on) to remove the bulk of the hair. Use your free hand to pull your skin tight. Rinse the blade often to keep it from clogging.

I go for 20 or so. I'm not spending $35 on blades every month. That's too much money.

[Devek]

I only have to shave every 3 days or so..

[Pikarya]

I only have to shave every 3 days or so..

This is the case with me, only every 3-4 days max. Any earlier and I will encounter irritation, or ingrown hairs due to sensitivity. But I will admit, compared to other guys. My shit grows slow in those first 2-3 days. So shaving really isn't needed at all.

[Devek]

I like to think it is because we are further away from apes on the evolutionary scale

[Rocl]

I like to think it is because we are further away from apes on the evolutionary scale

I think of it as we're simply more of a woman than most women.

[Pikarya]

lol dunno, my dad shaves every morning with a cheapo electric and gets the perfect shave with 0 irritation.

[LinktheDeme]

http://girlfromthenorthcountry.files.../11/phone2.jpg

had to have beeen done

[Sol-Blackguy]

http://girlfromthenorthcountry.files.../11/phone2.jpg

had to have beeen done

/thread

[Melena]

Seems like the Fusion or Mach 3 are the way to go. Thanks for the info.

[guartz]

http://girlfromthenorthcountry.files.../11/phone2.jpg

had to have beeen done

That's not a razor,

now this, THIS is a razor.

http://www.israellycool.com/wordpres...ads/dundee.jpg

[Amastacia]

I personally don't see how people shave against the grain as you said. I remember the first time I did. Had like 40 ingrown hairs in my fucking face.

Never again.

By shaving with the grain first.

I'm not quite a Wookie, but I have rather thick, dense hair, so I need to shave WTG first to clear most of the length, then ATG after to get it smooth. I've tried going XTG and it just doesn't get the job done.

[Swatt]

The holy trinity of shaving is razor, lubricant, and technique. Break one of these and you're going to look like you shaved with a cheese grater.

1. Don't use dull razors. The more you force a blade across your face the more irritation you get. Period. Just because you paid 20 bucks for some M3 cartridges doesn't mean you have to squeeze 6+ shaves out of one razor.

2. Don't use crappy lubicant. You don't need to spend 35 bucks on a tub of high end Castle Forbes Lime Shaving Cream, but don't count on that canned foam you picked up at the dollar store to keep the razor moving smoothly on your face. Also don't shave bare skin for obvious reasons.

3. Learn how to shave. For most people a pass going WTG and then XTG will make your face pretty damn smooth. Going ATG is for wookies only. And contrary as to what you see in commercials, you can't do half your face in one stroke. Start with one side of your face and work steadily towards the other side, doing small sections at a time. This way you won't miss anything. Use short, light, downward strokes (with the grain and so on) to remove the bulk of the hair. Use your free hand to pull your skin tight. Rinse the blade often to keep it from clogging.

i actually do exactly the opposite of everything... i switch blades like once a month. i shave bare skin. and i go against the grain.

[Elesirdur]

If you balk at the price of M3 or Quattro cartridges, think about the economics of a double-edged razor:

A good adjustable double-edged razor may run you upwards of $80-$120 but so long as you keep it clean and don't physically damage it it should last you the rest of your life. The best blades in the world for these razors shouldn't run you more than about $0.20 per blade, and you can easily get 5+ shaves out of a single blade (and I have incredibly coarse hair).

There's also a 'green' benefit to going old-school: less waste. Each of those razor cartridges will end up in a landfill and that plastic will take forever to break down. Old blades are metal only and, should you feel like it, you can dispose of them with metal recyclables. Not to mention all the packaging that's associated with modern cartridges. I think my last pack of Merkur blades came with a 2"-3.5" card back and a little bubble of plastic over the blades - not exactly huge packaging.

I feel like the amortized cost of the razor itself and the low operating cost of the blades gives me more license to indulge in nice shaving cream and aftershave balm. Before I went to the Truefit and Hill and Taylor of Old Bond Street stuff, I was using this Neutrogena sensitive skin shaving foam. That stuff actually works really well and, despite the brand, is scent-free.

[Vandalhart]

If you balk at the price of M3 or Quattro cartridges, think about the economics of a double-edged razor:

A good adjustable double-edged razor may run you upwards of $80-$120 but so long as you keep it clean and don't physically damage it it should last you the rest of your life. The best blades in the world for these razors shouldn't run you more than about $0.20 per blade, and you can easily get 5+ shaves out of a single blade (and I have incredibly coarse hair).

There's also a 'green' benefit to going old-school: less waste. Each of those razor cartridges will end up in a landfill and that plastic will take forever to break down. Old blades are metal only and, should you feel like it, you can dispose of them with metal recyclables. Not to mention all the packaging that's associated with modern cartridges. I think my last pack of Merkur blades came with a 2"-3.5" card back and a little bubble of plastic over the blades - not exactly huge packaging.

I feel like the amortized cost of the razor itself and the low operating cost of the blades gives me more license to indulge in nice shaving cream and aftershave balm. Before I went to the Truefit and Hill and Taylor of Old Bond Street stuff, I was using this Neutrogena sensitive skin shaving foam. That stuff actually works really well and, despite the brand, is scent-free.

I am intrigued.
Where may I find some examples of said Double Edged Razor?
I don't mind using my Mach 3 Turbos, but frankly, it's not worth the price.
I'm also a bitch for going green now-a-days.. not sure why.

[deivi]

image search old gillette or old style safety razor vandal

[Ghost_Wheel22]

Safety Razors - Badger & Blade

Reviews about nearly every good and bad razor made from people who take shaving way too seriously. And spending $80-$120 on a DE razor is a load of crap when this costs $30 and lasts a lifetime. a Murkur HD is about as newbie-friendly as it gets yet you'll go back to it over and over when you have a small drawer full of DEs and straights.

However if you decide to use badger brushes expect to pay $40-$200 with most around $100.

Just a word of warning before you try a DE/straight razor. Wet shaving can be a 15 cent process or it can be a steep investment depending on how exotic you talk yourself into going. I know I've remodeled my bathroom to accommodate my vast array of razors, brushes, creams, balms, strops, bowls, towels, and knicknacks I use to make my shaving as relaxing and enjoyable as possible. For 90% of the people out here a $10 tub of Taylors of Old Bond Street Avocado shaving cream, a $30 Best Badger brush, a $30 Murkur HD, a $20 10 pack carton of razors, and a $3 alum bar would set you up for 6 months easily. I'm sure the initial $100-ish investment is slightly more then Mach 3 refills but imo a great shave is worth every penny.

[Elesirdur]

I'm sure the initial $100-ish investment is slightly more then Mach 3 refills but imo a great shave is worth every penny.

End thread. Honestly, go with whatever works the best for you and is most comfortable and enjoyable.